WGBH Openvault

Say Brother; Dinah Washington; Dick Lane remembers Dinah Washington

In this clip former pro-football player Dick "Night Train" Lane reminisces about his marriage to the blues, jazz and gospel singer, Dinah Washington. Overall this program focuses on the music of Dinah Washington and the tradition of African American female musicians that she participated in. Host Hayes Burnett, a bass player, provides brief biographical information about Washington and interviews both Washington's husband Dick Lane and vocalist Mae Arnette (who was early in her career when Washington was at the height of hers). Both guests discuss what Washington was like, the origins of her music, the difficulties inherent to being a female, African American, musician, and what her life was like just before she died. Additional segments include a vocal performance by Arnette, a bass performance by Burnett (with accompaniment), "Information" (on the origins of African American music), and "Commentary" by Hayes Burnett (on the great African American female musicians). Produced by Marita Muhammad Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

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Program focuses on the music of Dinah Washington and the tradition of Afro American female musicians that she participated in. Host Hayes Burnett, a bass player, provides brief biographical information about Washington and interviews both Washington's husband Dick Lane and vocalist Mae Arnette, early in her career when Washington was at the height of hers. Both guests discuss what Washington was like, the origins of her music, the difficulties inherent to being a black female musician, and what her life was like before she died. Additional segments include: a vocal performance by Arnette; a bass performance by Burnett (with accompaniment); "Information" (on the origins of Black American music); and "Commentary" by Hayes Burnett (on the great black female musicians).